Big Kahuna Teriyaki Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
Big Kahuna Teriyaki Chicken Sandwiches offer a tropical twist on classic grilled chicken sandwiches, featuring tender marinated chicken breasts, smoky grilled pineapple, savory ham, and melted Pepper Jack cheese all nestled in a fresh hamburger bun. Marinated in a sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce with brown sugar, then grilled to perfection, these sandwiches make a perfect flavorful meal for summer cookouts or family dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American-Hawaiian Fusion
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 bottle Lawry’s teriyaki sauce (about 1 cup)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
Sandwich Fillings
- 4 slices deli ham
- 1 can sliced pineapple (or fresh pineapple slices for best flavor)
- 4 slices Pepper Jack cheese
- 4 large hamburger buns
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pound chicken breasts to about 1/4″ thickness all around for even cooking.
- Marinate chicken: In a large Ziploc bag, combine teriyaki sauce and brown sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add half of this mixture to the bag with the chicken, seal tightly, and refrigerate for at least 4-5 hours to allow flavors to infuse.
- Set up remaining sauce and pineapple: Divide the remaining teriyaki sauce into two separate bowls—one designated for basting the pineapple, the other for the chicken—to prevent cross-contamination. Open the pineapple can and reserve some juice in a bowl for cooking the ham.
- Grill chicken and pineapple: Place marinated chicken breasts and pineapple slices on a medium heat grill. Brush both with their respective teriyaki sauces every few minutes, flipping only once to achieve caramelization and proper cooking. Cook until chicken is thoroughly done and pineapple is nicely grilled.
- Cook ham: In a grill or frying pan, warm the deli ham slices using some reserved pineapple juice until they are hot and slightly caramelized.
- Assemble sandwiches: Slice hamburger buns open. Place grilled chicken breast on each bottom bun, then layer with Pepper Jack cheese, cooked ham, grilled pineapple, and cap with the bun top. Serve immediately with any remaining grilled pineapple on the side.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight yields even more flavor.
- Fresh pineapple rings can be used instead of canned for a fresher taste.
- Use separate brushes or utensils when basting chicken and pineapple to avoid cross-contamination.
- Adjust grilling times based on thickness of chicken breasts to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Serve with your choice of sides such as coleslaw or fries for a complete meal.
Keywords: Teriyaki chicken sandwich, grilled pineapple sandwich, tropical chicken sandwich, Hawaiian chicken sandwich, grilled chicken recipe
